Chandigarh all set to get Loo Cafe

Sandeep Rana

Chandigarh, June 20

A cafe and an ATM in a public toilet? It may sound strange, but the city is set to get its first luxurious and hygienic “Loo Cafe.”

‘Awaiting funds’

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The Centre has earmarked Rs 3.3 crore for ‘aspirational toilets’ for Chandigarh under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0. We are waiting for the release of funds. — Anindita Mitra, MC Commissioner

Tea, coffee, samosas…

The cafe will be made attractive with interior colour schemes and proper hygiene. The plan is to offer tea, coffee, samosas, French fries and sandwiches in the cafe. These things are also being planned to be home-delivered through Swiggy or Zomato.

On the lines of one already set up in Hyderabad, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is finalising a location for the Loo Cafe in the city. The civic body will run it on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode.

The aim is set to change the perception of public toilets. It will have three washrooms (for men, women, and diyvangs), along with a cafe and space for an ATM.

The cafe will be made attractive with interior colour schemes and proper hygiene. The plan is to have tea, coffee, samosas, French fries and sandwiches in the cafe. These things are also being planned to be home-delivered through Swiggy or Zomato. Radio, WiFi and security is also being considered. Advertisements for earning more revenue may also be allowed.

The toilet will be part of the 31 public conveniences to be turned divyang-friendly.

The MC has already sent a proposal of Rs 3.3 crore to the Centre. The civic body expects to get the funds in a month or so. After that, tenders will be floated to modernise these.

“The Centre has earmarked Rs 3.3 cr for ‘aspirational toilets’ for Chandigarh under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0. We have submitted our proposal and are waiting for the release of funds. We are also planning to set up a Loo Cafe under this project,” said MC Commissioner Anindita Mitra. The move gains significance as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had last month launched the Swachh Survekshan-2023 under which marks for Divyang-friendly toilets will now be now 9 per cent, unlike 3 per cent during the 2022 survekshan. At present, there are no proper public toilets for divyangs in most part of the city